Where To Paddle In Norfolk

Welcome to Norfolk Canoes paddle spots.
This page is designed to help you explore our waterways, beaches and coastline.
These are a few of our own and our friend’s favourite places to paddle.
If you would like to contribute to this list with your favourite spot then please email us at sales@norfolk-canoes.co.uk

Click here for useful links - Tide Times, British Canoe Union, Broads Authority and Canoe Clubs .

Trimingham Beach is a great place to get out onto the waves. It is relatively unknown and very quiet, even in peak season. Plenty of free parking and a concrete slipway almost right down to the water. Only issue can be finding the place first time out, so look for the dirt track and Vale Road sign.

Two beautiful, but very popular Broads. Large expanses of open water leading out onto the River Bure. Plenty of free parking, although if you're going in high season it is best to get there early. Easy places to put in both canoes and kayaks but beware of novices piloting those big Broads Cruisers! Good Pike fishing can be had here in the colder months.

Ludham Bride is a great launching point mid-way between Barton Broad and South Walsham Broad. Parking is limited to a small road side area and launching is by vertical drop in only. Ludham Staithe provides access to the very picturesque Womack Water. This in turn opens onto the river Thurne and Potter Heigham to the east or Thurne to the west. Thurn itself has free moorings at the entrance to Thurne Dyke. Launching at Thurne is possible, the staithe here is parished owned and donations for launching are requested. Parking is very limited, although if you ask in the pub, they may let you stay in return for a well earned drink at the end of the day..

Horstead Mill provides two great opportunities. It serves as a fantastic location from which to start a day's paddling exploring the upper reaches of the Bure towards Wroxham without the traffic. Also it has just about the only inland White Water experience in Norfolk! The old mill wheel sluices channel water through rapidly and can be great fun. Limited free parking and can be busy in Summer months.

Coltishall covers an extremely beautiful sretch of the River Bure and presents en excellent starting point to explore through to Wroxham. Wildlife is in abundance with Barn Owls, Kingfishers, Grass Snakes and many species of Dragonfly. Coltishall Common provides more parking, but Belaugh (only about 4 spaces) is less well known and tucked away. Easy launching from both sites.

Accessing the North Sea, launching from Brancaster couldn't be easier. Parking at Brancaster Beach is Pay & Display, but this does put you right on the beach. Brancaster Staithe provides ample free parking and a very pleasant paddle through the harbour to safe, sheltered, calm waters in most weather. Only issue to watch out for are the high tides which can cover the access road to the Beach, and cover much of the car park at the Staithe.

The River Wensum meanders through the Ringland hills area in a sleepy fashion. Quiet, tree lined stretches and open fields await paddlers looking for a peaceful, gentle, yet interesting day out. Lauching is easy and there is plenty of wildlife along this rarely travelled section of water.

Sea Palling has a poular, large sandy beach. Ample parking (Pay & Display) and a concrete slip-way make for easy access. Artificial offshore reefs create many bays, some with sheltered water and some with interesting surf depending upon conditions.
Good Summer fishing can also be had.

Other local amenities: Cafe / Pub / Amusements / RNLI Lifeguards

Open Canoeing on the Dilham Canal